NASA orders 53 unmodified Nikon D5 cameras, sending some of them to space

Thanks to NASA, we’ve seen plenty of splendid photos and videos from space. Recently, they ordered 53 unmodified Nikon D5 cameras, which have the value of almost $350,000. As they say from Nikon, a part of the cameras will be used in the astronaut training facilities, and another part goes to the International Space Station. From there, they will be recording intra- and extravehicular activities.

The cameras are delivered without special hardware modifications. It was the same in 2009, when NASA ordered unmodified Nikon D3S cameras. In other words, the same cameras you use will be used in space.  According to Nikon, this confirms “the incredible reliability of Nikon products, as well as their ability to withstand even the harshest of environments.”

NASA and Nikon have quite a long history. The first Nikon sent to space was Nikon Photomic FTN (Nikon F equipped with Photomic FTN viewfinder that supports TTL center-weighted metering). It was used on Apollo 15 in 1971. On several other occasions throughout the decades, Nikon cameras found their place in NASA’s facilities and spaceships.

As Nikon points out, they have been supporting different researches and explorations throughout the entire century of their existence. Their cameras were in Antarctica and in space. It’s interesting to learn that NASA will be using unmodified cameras, and I’m eager to see the photos they deliver.

[via Nikon]